2026 Catalog: All Courses

This Dental Assistant training program prepares students for entry level dental positions in an IHS Dental Clinic. The course supplies foundational didactic instruction related to common dental terminology, infection control, clinical chairside assisting, and dental radiology. It combines this training with a framework for clinical instruction and supplies competencies that demonstrate ability to practically apply the material. Upon completion of this course a Dental Assistant will have the knowledge and skills required to support the Dental Team in the safe and efficient delivery of care.

Online modules – all located on IHS.gov/DOH website
Assignments

Quizzes

Tests



The didactic portion takes 1-3 months:


Modules 1-7 are meant to be taken in order

Module 8 Infection Control can be taken any time

Radiology accessed on Portal

Tips for Success:

• Have someone with them at all times at first
  
• Supervisor will need to be engaged to monitor status
  
• Each trainee will progress at a different rate
  If they’ve done a procedure multiple times and are showing competence, give space
  
• When newer procedures are encountered offer more direct support
  
• Don’t put new DA with new DDS
  
• All staff need to buy in for this to be successful
  
• Support trainee if they are struggling in a particular area
  
• Be clear and consistent with expectations
  
• Stress patient safety and Just Culture
  
• Make sure they carry their competency around with them
  IMPORTANT THEY DON’T LOSE THEIR PAPERWORK

1.   Safely train new staff in skills associated with chairside assisting
2.   Understand requirements for training regarding infection control and radiology
3.   Utilize clinical competency forms for key components of staff training

Toby Imler — Personal Description / Biography not available. For follow-up questions, please contact the speaker at Toby.Imler@tananachiefs.org.

The speaker has no conflicts of interest to report.

It is the policy of the Indian Health Service, Division of Oral Health, that faculty/planners disclose any financial or other relationships with commercial companies whose products may be discussed in the educational activity. The Indian Health Service, Division of Oral Health, also requires that faculty disclose any unlabeled or investigative use of pharmaceutical products and medical devices. Images that have been falsified or manipulated to misrepresent treatment outcomes are prohibited.

None of the faculty/planners for this activity has a conflict of interest, and there is no use of unlabeled or investigative pharmaceutical products or medical devices. No images have been falsified or manipulated to misrepresent treatment outcomes.The educational objectives, content, and selection of educational methods and instructors are conducted independent of any commercial entity.

The IHS Division of Oral Health is an accredited sponsor of continuing education under the American Dental Association Continuing Education Recognition Program (CERP). ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the IHS at IHS CDE Coordinator or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at CCEPR.ada.org

None

Tuition must be paid in full 8 weeks prior to the start date of any course. Request for refunds must be received in writing at least two weeks before the course begins. For each refund request, there will be an administrative charge of $100. No refunds will be made to registrants who fail to attend a course. If IHS CDE program cancels a course, then 100% of the tuition will be refunded.